Turkish companies have shown keen interest for making investment in healthcare sector of Punjab. The interest was shown by a Turkish health sector delegation led by Mehmet Dal with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif who called on him in Lahore on Saturday. Shahbaz lauded Turkish cooperation for improving the healthcare infrastructure of the province. He said that provision of the best possible facilities to the common man is top priority his government.

Mehmet Dal said Pakistan and Turkey are bonded together in strong relations of love and brotherhood and they wanted to help their Pakistani brethren. An agreement of Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) was also signed between Infrastructure Development Authority Punjab (IDAP) and Turkish companies Havelsan-Sisoft. Under the agreement, the Turkish companies will introduce HMIS in Pakistan Kidney and Liver Transplant and Research Centre. The first phase of this system will be completed by December 2017. Mujahid Sherdil, the CEO of IDAP and Zeynip Arzu Celik signed the agreement on behalf of respective sides.

Shahbaz said that the growing cooperation between Turkey and the Punjab government in healthcare sector will benefit the ailing humanity. He said the participation of Turkish companies in large number in the Pak-Medica Health Exhibition is praiseworthy and the growing cooperation resulting due to exhibition and meetings will be given practical shape.

He further said that Sultan Fateh Hospital of Istanbul and the General Hospital of Lahore are being made twin-hospitals and it would help to further improve the healthcare facilities in the General Hospital. "I pray to Almighty Allah that the flowers like Sultan Fateh Hospital grow in our garden as well." He said that Punjab government has decided to set up new hospitals under the public private partnership model and added that Turkish companies have assured to establish hospitals.

He also directed to constitute a joint committee comprising of officials of Punjab government and heads of Turkish companies to regularly review the growing cooperation in healthcare sector. The heads of Turkish companies appreciated the efforts of Chief Minister for development and betterment of healthcare system.

Consul General of Turkey and heads of Turkish companies, provincial ministers including Tanveer Aslam Malik, Kh. Salman Rafiq, Kh. Imran Nazir, Advisor Dr. Umer Saif, spokesman of Punjab government Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan, Chief Secretary, medical experts and concerned officials were also present on the occasion.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017